Teachers and experts warn young children struggle to sit in class as screen time rises

Primary school teachers and educational specialists are reporting that a growing number of pupils arrive at school unable to sit upright for extended periods, a change they attribute to heavy use of tablets and smartphones and declining outdoor play.

Teachers say children entering reception and early primary grades frequently slump on carpets, slide out of chairs or appear unable to sustain the posture needed for classroom activities. The issue is being linked to what some describe as early-onset screen dependence and corresponding reductions in the physical activity that develops core and postural muscles.

Published figures from children's play specialists Outdoor Toys indicate that more than a quarter of five- to 12-year-olds spend three or more hours a day on tablets or smartphones, and about 7 percent spend more than five hours daily on such devices. The same report found that less than half of children get two hours of outdoor play each day and roughly 30 percent do not get outside on most days.

Michelle Windridge, a primary teacher in Birmingham with two decades of classroom experience, told reporters that the decline in children’s physical skills is noticeable when pupils begin school. "They're really restricted when they come to learn to hold a pencil, form letters and handwrite," she said, adding that some children display discomfort or pain when required to sit still for lessons. Windridge said her school removed most classroom technology about 10 years ago to encourage social interaction and physical development.

Dr. Tej Samani, who runs the education consultancy Performance Learning, described the posture and attention changes he has observed as "one of the biggest shifts" in recent years. "I've seen it get worse and worse over the last five to seven years," he said, citing frequent scenes of children hunched over screens in dining halls and playground gatherings. Samani warned that the devices are increasingly an "emotional attachment" rather than purely educational tools.

Health and movement specialists say the postural issues are consistent with the effects of prolonged static positions. Dr. Dean Eggitt, a clinician in Doncaster, compared the trend among children to posture changes long observed in older adults who spend extended periods in chairs or beds. "If you don't stretch out muscles, tendons or ligaments, they tend to shorten and solidify in that position," he said, noting the risk of reduced range of movement and pain when attempting to restore normal posture.

Experts say that device-driven sedentary time tends to develop particular muscle imbalances: muscles used while sitting and looking down can become disproportionately strong relative to those responsible for upright posture. Dr. Eggitt likened the pattern to that seen in competitive swimmers who develop a forward-hunched shoulder position unless counterbalanced with other exercises.

Those on the front lines of primary education say the changes have classroom consequences. Windridge warned that a child's inability to sit comfortably can hinder concentration and learning. Samani added that the effects extend beyond posture to low energy, poor concentration and diminished confidence, and he urged schools and parents to introduce practical, routine measures to rebalance activity and device exposure.

Suggested interventions offered by educators and specialists include designated screen-free zones and times, regular movement breaks within the school day, short posture-reset exercises and pairing children with "posture buddies" who prompt each other to sit tall. Samani proposed swapping a 30-minute scroll for a 30-minute walk or using short triggers—such as standing after an online advertisement or the completion of a game level—to encourage physical movement.

Windridge urged parents to restore exploratory and hands-on activities that build fine and gross motor skills, such as playing with modelling clay, helping with household chores that require reaching and stretching, and visiting parks with climbing and balancing equipment. She said small changes at home and at school can help children develop the strength and coordination expected in previous generations.

Researchers and clinicians stress that the pattern of increased screen time and reduced outdoor play is multi-faceted. Factors cited include parental work patterns, transport to and from childcare, and the convenience of educational apps. While many parents use tablets for learning activities, specialists caution that prolonged passive or solitary screen use differs from active play in its physical and social benefits.

Public health and education bodies have previously recommended limits on recreational screen time for children and promoted daily physical activity, but experts interviewed for this report said the posture and functional movement consequences merit more attention. They called for coordinated efforts by schools, families and health professionals to monitor children's screen habits and integrate movement into daily routines to prevent longer-term musculoskeletal and developmental problems.

The observations from teachers and clinicians reflect an evolving conversation about children's health and technology, underscoring concerns that shifts in how children spend free time may have measurable effects on early development and classroom readiness.